CNN Panel Blows Up After Contributor Questions Another Panelist’s ‘Blackness’

A CNN panel on Charlottesville and President Trump‘s comments turned into a shouting match between Paris Dennard and Keith Boykin this afternoon.

Boykin said that Trump failed to show “moral clarity” in his initial remarks and in how long it took him to specifically denounce Neo-Nazis and white supremacists.

Dennard, meanwhile, praised the President’s response and said he was “proud” to see him disavow bigots. He pointed out that Trump had previously condemned David Duke during the campaign.

“He has a history of racism and he has failed to repudiate this,” Boykin shot back. “I’m offended that you continue to go there, Paris, but the reality is that President Trump has not done enough. And I’m ashamed that you as an African-American, Paris, will not say that.”

That set off Dennard, who went off on Boykin and told him about the racism he experiences for being a black Republican Trump supporter, saying, “Don’t come to me and tell me about what it means to be a black person in this country!”

At one point, Dennard said, “I am well aware of my blackness and don’t need you to try to classify me as being one.” Boykin responded, “Are you?”